Author Archives: Sean Coffey

An intricate ending

Posted on October 7, 2018 by Sean Coffey

In this year’s Glorney, Gilbert, Robinson, and Stokes Cups, held in Paisley, Scotland, all games from rounds 1-3 were available on live boards, but there was a delay for rounds 4 and 5. The organisers have now made the remaing … Continue reading →

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St. Andrew’s Masters and Majors 2018

Posted on October 5, 2018 by Sean Coffey

The 2nd Annual St. Andrew’s Charity Congress was held in Booterstown two weeks ago. Full reports for the Masters and Majors have been added to the Tournaments pages here. The live board coverage of the lower events was unusually good, … Continue reading →

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Ulster Championship 2018

Posted on September 21, 2018 by Sean Coffey

This year’s Ulster championship, which ran from August 25-27 in Belfast, was a 6-round event with 12 players, and resulted in a clear-cut win for Thomas Donaldson, a full point clear of the field, for his first title. The report … Continue reading →

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Philip Short 1960-2018

Posted on September 2, 2018 by Sean Coffey

Philip Short, August 2018 I’m reeling, as is anyone remotely linked with Irish chess, at the sudden and unexpected loss of Philip Short. He was Irish champion five times—1981 (joint), 1986 (j.), 1988, 2015 (j.), and 2017 (j.)—and finished joint … Continue reading →

Posted in Irish champions, Photos, Players | 4 Comments

From the Irish championship 2018

Posted on August 26, 2018 by Sean Coffey

The Irish championship ran from August 4-12 in Dublin. Congratulations are due to the organisers for an outstanding event, which must rank as the strongest ever. The turnout of 36 players has only rarely been exceeded (fifth on the all-time … Continue reading →

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Hans-Joachim Hecht simuls, 1974

Posted on July 21, 2018 by Sean Coffey

Oisín McGuinness’s recent comment on the Simuls page here talks of a simul the West German grandmaster Hans-Joachim Hecht gave at Collegians C.C. (Kiely’s of Donnybrook) on April 17, 1974. A report of the event appeared in the Irish Times … Continue reading →

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8th Blind Olympiad, Hungary 1988, contd.

Posted on July 18, 2018 by Sean Coffey

Following on to the last post, here is another photo from the 8th Blind Olympiad, again kindly provided by Philip Doyle. Michael Keating, Gerard MacElligott, Ernie McElroy, Philip DoyleLake Balaton, April 1988

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8th Blind Olympiad, Hungary 1988

Posted on July 17, 2018 by Sean Coffey

The 8th Blind Olympiad was held in Zalaegerszeg, Hungary, April 17-30, 1988. In all 23 teams competed, and Ireland finished in the middle, fifth out of eight teams in the second of the three final groups. Philip Doyle, author and … Continue reading →

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New analysis: a missed win

Posted on May 28, 2018 by Sean Coffey

Round 6 of the 1975 Irish championship paired Oisín McGuinness and Alan Ludgate, each on 3½/5 and just half a point off the lead. The following position was reached after White’s 24. Nce4. McGuinness – Ludgate, Irish Championship 1975 Black … Continue reading →

Posted in Games, Irish championships, Tournaments | 1 Comment

Irish championship 1975

Posted on May 23, 2018 by Sean Coffey

A report on the Irish championship 1975 has been added to the tournament archive pages here. In a field of 30 players, Eamon Keogh and Alan Ludgate tied for first and shared the title; this was the first time either … Continue reading →

Posted in Irish championships, Tournaments | 2 Comments